Police and community briefs for June 28, 2013

Thursday

Jun 27, 2013 at 10:30 PM

Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives hope someone can provide information to help solve a burglary at a business in which cash and a signed Jeremy McGrath jersey worth thousands of dollars were taken.

POLICE BEAT

Cash and jersey taken in burglary

Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives hope someone can provide information to help solve a burglary at a business in which cash and a signed Jeremy McGrath jersey worth thousands of dollars were taken.

On June 20 an employee at Hard Rock Cycle at 6849 NW Gainesville Road told a deputy someone kicked in the front door and took two motocross helmets, a pair of brush guards for a motorcycle, a cash register and the valuable jersey.

McGrath is a motocross/supercross champion who is in the AMA BMX Hall of Fame.

Anyone with information can call the MCSO at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, visit www.ocalacrimestopeprs.com or text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368STOP.

COMMUNITY

Liberty Community Park reopening today

Liberty Community Park at 10575 SW 57th Terrace Road, Ocala, will reopen to the public today.

Renovations and additions as part of a Phase II improvements project include an expanded playground, 6-foot-wide paved walking trail, multi-purpose open area, paved parking lot and stormwater management facilities.

The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

For more information, call 671-8560.

Vendors, entertainers wanted for local event

A Doll & Bear Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24, at the Harvest Village at 22050 N. U.S. 441, between McIntosh and Micanopy. Vendors and entertainers are being sought for the event.

The extravaganza will include games for children, storybook readings, baked goods, a doll doctor/appraiser for minor repairs, and vendors selling dolls (handmade, bought for resale and reconditioned) and doll and bear related items.

The LifeSouth Blood Mobile will be on site for donations.

Attendees are invited to donate old bears and dolls that can be reconditioned and will in turn be donated to police and fire departments for children in crisis situations.

To learn more, contact Anna Burrill at 525-0349 or yankeeconn@gmail.com.

Apply now for street banner presentations

The Ocala Public Works Traffic Division will accept applications for the 2014 street banner lottery until Aug. 3. Reservations can only be made by nonprofit organizations.

Banners in the 1100 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard and the 1300 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard can be reserved for one week.

Applications can be obtained weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Public Works Traffic Division Office, 1805 NE 30th Ave., Building 300.

Electronic or faxed copies of the form can be obtained by calling 351-6733 or emailing mrodrigues@ocalafl.org.

Safe boating course scheduled for July 13

The Harris Chain Sail & Power Squadron will hold a public safe boating course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.July 13 at Millers Boating Center, 1661 U.S. 441, Ocala.

The cost is $49 for the first family member, which includes a book, and $2 for other family members willing to share the book. Registration is required.

Attendees who pass a final exam will receive an FWC Boating Safety Education ID card, whichis required for all boaters born after Jan. 1, 1988.

For more information, call 259-9711 or visit www.harrischain.org.

Racquetball tourney benefits local ministry

A Hit for Hunger Racquetball tournament will benefit the Gateway to Hope Ministries.

The tournament will be held July 19-20 at the Frank Deluca YMCA of Marion County, 3200 SE 17 St., Ocala.

The entry fee is $50; entry deadline is July 16.

For more information, call 342-0447.

Mortgage aid available from housing authority

The Ocala Housing Authority has financial assistance available to homeowners who qualify through the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program, which also provides financial and housing counseling.

For more information, call 369-2235 or 369-2636.

Zoo offering animal management program

The Florida International Teaching Zoo will offer a zoo animal management program with veterinary assistant certification beginning in September.

Classes will be held at the teaching school, 4258 SW 52nd Terrace, Bushnell. The cost is $1,000 per term.

To learn more, call 867-7788 or visit thezooschool.com.

STATE

SeaWorld returns three injured turtles to ocean

TITUSVILLE — Rescuers from SeaWorld Orlando have returned three rehabilitated Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles to the ocean.

The turtles were released Thursday morning from Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore.

Florida Today reports that the turtles were among 36 Kemp’s Ridleys brought to SeaWorld Orlando in December by theU.S. Coast Guard after being rescued from cold waters off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. Two of the turtles had developed pneumonia, and the third had small wounds to its shell.

As of Thursday, 34 of the 36 the Cape Cod turtles had been returned to the ocean. So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 45 sea turtles and returned 35.

— The Associated Press

Tanker crashes into van, killing two people

NAPLES — Two people died after a tanker truck crashed into a stopped minivan on Interstate 75 in southwest Florida.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that 16-year-old Jannelle Arvelaez’s van was stopped with its hazard light flashing in the southbound outside lane of I-75 near Naples around 3 a.m. Thursday. A tanker truck driven by 48-year-old Alexander Brener traveling in the same lane rear-ended the van and overturned.

FHP says both drivers were ejected from their vehicles. Brener died at the scene, and Arvelaez died later at a Fort Myers hospital.

Investigators weren’t immediately sure why Arvelaez was pulled over on the highway.

The overturned tanker blocked an exit ramp, and about 3,000 gallons of a bleaching agent called hypochloride was spilled.

— The Associated Press

Inmates kills himself at Panhandle jail facility

PANAMA CITY — An inmate at a Florida Panhandle jail is dead from a suspected suicide.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office reports that 32-year-old Robert Charles Batty Jr. was found dead in his cell Tuesday night. He appeared to have asphyxiated himself with a bed sheet. Medical staff tried unsuccessfully to revive him.

The News Herald in Panama City reports that Batty was in a section of the jail that housed inmates awaiting transport to the Department of Corrections. Officials say Batty violated the conditions of his probation by failing to report a change of address to his probation officer. He had been sentenced to serve 13 months. His original charge was sexual battery, for which he was arrested in July 2012.

— The Associated PressPOLICE BEAT

Cash and jersey taken in burglary

Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives hope someone can provide information to help solve a burglary at a business in which cash and a signed Jeremy McGrath jersey worth thousands of dollars were taken.

On June 20 an employee at Hard Rock Cycle at 6849 NW Gainesville Road told a deputy someone kicked in the front door and took two motocross helmets, a pair of brush guards for a motorcycle, a cash register and the valuable jersey.

McGrath is a motocross/supercross champion who is in the AMA BMX Hall of Fame.

Anyone with information can call the MCSO at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, visit www.ocalacrimestopeprs.com or text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368STOP.

COMMUNITY

Liberty Community Park reopening today

Liberty Community Park at 10575 SW 57th Terrace Road, Ocala, will reopen to the public today.

Renovations and additions as part of a Phase II improvements project include an expanded playground, 6-foot-wide paved walking trail, multi-purpose open area, paved parking lot and stormwater management facilities.

The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

For more information, call 671-8560.

Vendors, entertainers wanted for local event

A Doll & Bear Extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24, at the Harvest Village at 22050 N. U.S. 441, between McIntosh and Micanopy. Vendors and entertainers are being sought for the event.

The extravaganza will include games for children, storybook readings, baked goods, a doll doctor/appraiser for minor repairs, and vendors selling dolls (handmade, bought for resale and reconditioned) and doll and bear related items.

The LifeSouth Blood Mobile will be on site for donations.

Attendees are invited to donate old bears and dolls that can be reconditioned and will in turn be donated to police and fire departments for children in crisis situations.

To learn more, contact Anna Burrill at 525-0349 or yankeeconn@gmail.com.

Apply now for street banner presentations

The Ocala Public Works Traffic Division will accept applications for the 2014 street banner lottery until Aug. 3. Reservations can only be made by nonprofit organizations.

Banners in the 1100 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard and the 1300 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard can be reserved for one week.

Applications can be obtained weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Public Works Traffic Division Office, 1805 NE 30th Ave., Building 300.

Electronic or faxed copies of the form can be obtained by calling 351-6733 or emailing mrodrigues@ocalafl.org.

Safe boating course scheduled for July 13

The Harris Chain Sail & Power Squadron will hold a public safe boating course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.July 13 at Millers Boating Center, 1661 U.S. 441, Ocala.

The cost is $49 for the first family member, which includes a book, and $2 for other family members willing to share the book. Registration is required.

Attendees who pass a final exam will receive an FWC Boating Safety Education ID card, whichis required for all boaters born after Jan. 1, 1988.

For more information, call 259-9711 or visit www.harrischain.org.

Racquetball tourney benefits local ministry

A Hit for Hunger Racquetball tournament will benefit the Gateway to Hope Ministries.

The tournament will be held July 19-20 at the Frank Deluca YMCA of Marion County, 3200 SE 17 St., Ocala.

The entry fee is $50; entry deadline is July 16.

For more information, call 342-0447.

Mortgage aid available from housing authority

The Ocala Housing Authority has financial assistance available to homeowners who qualify through the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program, which also provides financial and housing counseling.

For more information, call 369-2235 or 369-2636.

Zoo offering animal management program

The Florida International Teaching Zoo will offer a zoo animal management program with veterinary assistant certification beginning in September.

Classes will be held at the teaching school, 4258 SW 52nd Terrace, Bushnell. The cost is $1,000 per term.

To learn more, call 867-7788 or visit thezooschool.com.

STATE

SeaWorld returns three injured turtles to ocean

TITUSVILLE — Rescuers from SeaWorld Orlando have returned three rehabilitated Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles to the ocean.

The turtles were released Thursday morning from Playalinda Beach at Canaveral National Seashore.

Florida Today reports that the turtles were among 36 Kemp’s Ridleys brought to SeaWorld Orlando in December by theU.S. Coast Guard after being rescued from cold waters off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. Two of the turtles had developed pneumonia, and the third had small wounds to its shell.

As of Thursday, 34 of the 36 the Cape Cod turtles had been returned to the ocean. So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 45 sea turtles and returned 35.

— The Associated Press

Tanker crashes into van, killing two people

NAPLES — Two people died after a tanker truck crashed into a stopped minivan on Interstate 75 in southwest Florida.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that 16-year-old Jannelle Arvelaez’s van was stopped with its hazard light flashing in the southbound outside lane of I-75 near Naples around 3 a.m. Thursday. A tanker truck driven by 48-year-old Alexander Brener traveling in the same lane rear-ended the van and overturned.

FHP says both drivers were ejected from their vehicles. Brener died at the scene, and Arvelaez died later at a Fort Myers hospital.

Investigators weren’t immediately sure why Arvelaez was pulled over on the highway.

The overturned tanker blocked an exit ramp, and about 3,000 gallons of a bleaching agent called hypochloride was spilled.

— The Associated Press

Inmates kills himself at Panhandle jail facility

PANAMA CITY — An inmate at a Florida Panhandle jail is dead from a suspected suicide.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office reports that 32-year-old Robert Charles Batty Jr. was found dead in his cell Tuesday night. He appeared to have asphyxiated himself with a bed sheet. Medical staff tried unsuccessfully to revive him.

The News Herald in Panama City reports that Batty was in a section of the jail that housed inmates awaiting transport to the Department of Corrections. Officials say Batty violated the conditions of his probation by failing to report a change of address to his probation officer. He had been sentenced to serve 13 months. His original charge was sexual battery, for which he was arrested in July 2012.